{mosimage}As a Sales Professional, I am completely hooked on the adrenaline rush that is sales. You could even call it an addiction. The life of a Sales Professional is not for the faint of heart. It is an "Extreme Ride" similar to an intense rollercoaster with the highest of highs (huge deals and big money) and the lowest of lows where the bottom has dropped out - complete and utter panic with your heart down in your toes (wondering if your job may be in jeopardy).

Though sales can be addictive, it can also become a brutal pressure cooker that takes a toll on your body and life if you don't channel it properly.  At 33 years old I found myself topping 300 pounds using food as my way to cope with the ebb and flow of the sales cycle. I later discovered that I was not alone. It turned out that many Sales Professionals had destructive vices that helped them survive the emotional challenges inherent in sales. My wake up call though was the birth of my child and the realization that as the sole breadwinner for my family I had to be my best and stay healthy. 

I took action, changed my habits and found a new outlet for my emotions - running. Prior to this change, I had never run in my life, except maybe to a shoe sale or to get a deal signed before the end of a month! However, over the past two years I now have completed the Lynchburg Ten Miler twice (one of the most challenging ten milers in the country because of the mountains), two Shamrock half marathons and the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C. (26.2 MILES baby!!!)

I have found that running allows me to let off steam and gives me time to think. While investing in my body, I allow my mind to work through a challenging dialog with one of my customers, pitch a new product or creatively develop new sales leads. Instead of focusing on the little details and getting obsessed with them, running has allowed me to see the big picture. After each run I feel better, think clearer and I am prepared win!     

Two PowerPrinciples for Riding The Emotional Rollercoaster

Invest In Your Body: Schedule thirty minutes a day for physical activity that makes you sweat. Exercise will help you think clearer, feel better and will relieve the tension and stress from a day of working deals. Treat your body like an elite athlete and you will win like an elite athlete.

Make Time to Think: The most successful people schedule 15-30 minutes each week to just sit and think. No phone, no blackberry, no laptop. Just silence. Spending time just thinking provides your mind with the time to work out problems, deal with issues logically and sometimes find inspiration that can have a profound impact on your life.